In what it described as a move to arrest the persistent exploitation by the Lagos State Government, LASG, through its various ministries on the premium breadmaking industry in Lagos, bread makers under the aegis of the Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria, PBAN, have decided to embark on a massive demonstration at the State Assembly as well as the Governor’s office in Alausa soon.
The body which comprises owners, Managing Directors and Partners of premium bakeries in Nigeria, announced that all plans have been concluded to lay a siege at Alausa for State Lawmakers and the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as concerted efforts to reach the government over the alleged exploitation by various ministries and agencies in the state on its members bakeries in Lagos have been met with “deafening silence.”
In a press statement signed by its President, Emmanuel Onuorah and Public & Industrial Relations Officer (PIRO), Babalola Thomas, the association noted that the planned action became necessary as operating a bakery within Lagos state has become nearly impossible as the myriads of challenges the bread industry suffer in Nigeria is amplified in Lagos state with various ministries and agencies in the state taking undue exploitative and inhumane advantage of bakeries.
It added, “The challenges we face in this industry is being aggravated especially here in Lagos as we have always been at the mercy of the different ministries and agencies in Lagos who are exploiting us day and night without let; enough is enough!
“On a daily basis different agencies barge into our bakeries to, intimidate harass and extort money from our members unduly.
“Multi-agency regulation is now an albatros to our businesses in Lagos state. Ministry of The Environment, LASEPA, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Transport (State Carriage), Lagos State Safety Commission (LSC), Daily toll in streets and major roads by LGAs/LCDAs thugs, LGA Environment department, VIO, LASTMA etc are what we contend with daily in Lagos with their negative impact on premium bakery industry,” the association revealed.
“The Nigerian economy is bad enough for doing business, the state government should desist from making it worse for business operators in the state like bakers.
“Bread is a staple food and one of the cheapest ‘grab and go’ food that is available for both the poor and rich. It therefore behoves the government and key agencies to be mindful of this,” it read.
Explaining why the association is resorting to a demonstration at Alausa, the statement noted, “Resorting to a peaceful demonstration as an association is the last option open to us now as all concerted efforts to meet with Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on this matter has met a brickwall. We have explored all channels available to us, written, emailed and visited to no effect whatsoever.
“Therefore, the demonstration is the only way we believe we can get our Lawmakers in the state and Mr. Governor to listen to us and help us in our quest to continually provide viable employment to the thousands of Lagosians that work with us.”
Established late in 2017, the Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria comprises Owners, Managing Directors and Partners of premium bakeries in Nigeria. The association has always been at the forefront of championing the bread industry in Nigeria.
It has continually collaborated with relevant bodies, associations and regulatory agencies to ensure best practices among member bakeries and other stakeholders. PBAN boasts of knowledgeable, well-educated and highly exposed self-starting entrepreneurs from diverse fields of endeavour, across Nigeria with a strong desire to grow a world-class and globally-acclaimed bread and bakery industry Nigeria.
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